Building Strong Mathematical Thinkers
Skills that grow each year.
Math is not every child’s favorite subject, and that’s okay. For some, it clicks right away; for others, it takes time, practice, and that wonderful moment when it suddenly makes sense. Either way, it is one of the most useful skills students carry with them long after elementary school.
This year, teachers in grades 3–5 began with a shared foundation: place value, comparing numbers, and solid number sense. From that common starting point, each grade builds carefully on the last so students keep stretching without feeling lost.
Third-graders started the year comparing numbers and using the symbols <, >, and = with growing confidence. They will work with numbers up to 10,000.
“It is very important, especially in our third-grade math curriculum, that our students understand the math vocabulary and also understand the many different ways questions may be asked,” said third-grade teacher Deborah Cannington.
Fourth-graders also began by comparing and rounding numbers. This year, they move into fractions, decimals, geometry, drawing and measuring angles, graphs, and word problems that ask them to apply what they know in new ways.
It always feels good in math class when you “get it.” Fourth-grade math teacher Tejal McLeod keeps her students challenged and engaged as she leads them into these next levels.
Fifth-graders step into Big Ideas Math, a program designed to give them a smooth, confident transition into middle school. It includes an online component they use for homework.
“The students really enjoy this interactive format,” said fifth-grade math teacher Dona Kenny. “It allows them to take more ownership of their learning.”
They will work with fractions, convert measurements, apply the four operations to decimals, strengthen problem-solving and mathematical reasoning, and begin building a foundation in pre-algebra concepts.
By the time they leave us, our Sharks will have a genuine, working understanding of numbers and how they fit together—skills that grow more powerful with every year.
Jacksonville Country Day School
Located in Jacksonville, FL, Jacksonville Country Day School is a private school for Pre-K 3 through 5th grade. JCDS prepares students for a healthy and productive lifetime of intellectual exploration, character development, and social responsibility.
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